The Forgotten History of French Imperialism in India 

Speaker: Prof. Robert Ivermee, historian of British and wider European colonialism in South Asia, an Associate Professor at Sciences Po Grenoble – UGA, France. He is the author of Glorious Failure: The Forgotten History of French Imperialism in India (Context, 2026) and a wide range of other publications.

Moderator: Zohra Chatterji, IAS (retd.) Former Secretary, Govt of India, scholar, writer and Vice-President, Alliance francaise de Delhi 
For 150 years, from the reign of Louis XIV to the downfall of Napoleon, France was an aggressive imperial power in South Asia. Through their East India company and state, the French established a far-reaching empire in India.This talk will recover and reflect on the largely forgotten history of French imperialism in India. In doing so, it tackles topics like great power rivalry and entrenched inequalities that remain vital and urgent today.
(Collaboration: Alliance Française de Delhi)
 

Looking Back: Writing Women’s History 
 

As the All India Women’s Conference (AIWC) branches approaches its centenary in 2027, this symposium highlights pioneering women writers and reformers from the 1920s to the 1970s. Focusing on multilingual narratives. The discussions will foreground contributions to health, education, social reform and women’s rights across India, celebrating voices that shaped and chronicled women’s lives and histories.

Moderator: Manju Kak, Secretary General, AIWC

Panellists: Prof. B. Mangalam. Aryabhatta College, published widely on Dalit literature, theatre studies; Prof. (Dr.) Meenakshi Malhotra, Department of English, Hansraj College, DU; Prof Rekha Sethi, Department of Hindi, Indraprastha College; Dr. Sanju Thomas. Associate Professor, School of Letters, Ambedkar University; Dr. Usha Mudiganti., Associate Professor, School of Letters, Ambedkar University; Dr. Saba Mahmood Bashir Assistant Professor, Department of English Assistant Professor In-charge, RCA, Jamia Millia Islamia. 
 

Photojournalism in the times of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Speaker: Dheeraj Paul, distinguished photographer and mentor

This is as part of the exhibition, The Big Picture 2025, an exhibition of works of PhotoJournalists , on display in the Main Art Gallery from 20th to 30th December 2025

(Collaboration: All India Working News Cameramen’s Association (WNCA)

The talk explores how institutions of higher education in Asia, the US, and Europe have shaped the development of Asian Studies and enabled cross-cultural understanding during periods of geopolitical tension. Highlighting influential centres such as the Royal Asiatic Society, EFEO, and the Harvard-Yenching Institute. The session will also consider current challenges, including shrinking international funding and how the future of Asian Studies can be re-imagined.

By Prof. James Robson is the James C. Kralik and Yunli Lou Professor of East Asian Languages and Civilizations at Harvard University and Director of the Harvard-Yenching Institute, he has conducted extensive research across China, Taiwan, and Japan, and is the award-winning author of The Power of Place.

Chair: Sabaree Mitra, Professor Centre for Chinese and South East Asian Studies, JNU, Honorary Fellow, Institute of Chinese Studies, Delhi.

(Collaboration: Institute of Chinese Studies)

Beyond the Ballot - Paradoxes of Democracy

By T. S. Krishna Murthy (White Falcon Publishing, 2025)

Discussants: Justice M. N. Venkatachaliah, former Chief Justice of India; Shri Prabhat Kumar, former Cabinet Secretary and Governor of Jharkhand; Prof Asha Sarangi, Professor, Centre for Political Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University; Justice Madan Lokur, former Judge of the Supreme Court of India; Shri T. S. Krishna Murthy, former Chief Election Commissioner of India & Author of the book

Moderator: Suhas Borker, Editor Citizens First TV (CFTV)

Ink Over Algorithms: Why the Soul of Storytelling Transcends AI

POSTPONED

by Manjima Misra (New Delhi: Highbrow Scribes Publications, 2025)

Discussants: Prof. Subhashis Banerjee, Head of the Department and Professor of Computer Science, Ashoka University; Prasanto Kumar Roy, Senior Advisor and Former Managing Director, FTI Consulting; Neha Dixit, Award-winning Journalist; Namrita Mahindro, Global AI and Digital Transformation Leader; Ayush Garg, Founder, Delhi School of Artificial Intelligence

Moderator: Manjima Misra, Author of the book

Heritage Threads - Tapestry of Indian and Indonesian Textiles

By Bhimanto Suwastoyo & Ritu Sethi

Guest of Honour: Dr. Shashi Tharoor, Parliamentarian, Member of INC and Ms. Erny Wahyuni, First Secretary, Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia & Head of Cultural and Social Affairs

Discussants: Dr Ritu Sethi, Co-author of the book and Trustee of Crafts Revival Trust; Ms Namrata Dalela, Renowned Textile Researcher & Conservator; Ms Aparna Bhatnagar Saxena, Co-Editor & CEO - TORAJAMELO foundation.

Moderator: Col. D.P.K Pillay, Nominated as Brand Ambassador for War disabled by COAS, Formerly Korea Foundation Visiting Fellow

The war that started in February 2022 shows no clear sign of ending despite the enormously huge number of civilian and military casualties . NATO has pumped in a considerable amount of weapons , not to mention the financial support. President Trump has reversed Biden's policy of total support to Ukraine and has held talks with Putin, to the chagrin of the Europeans.Are there any prospects for an early end to this unfolding tragedy? These and related issues will be discussed.

Speaker: Ambassador Gitesh Sarma, former Ambassador to Ukraine and former Secretary (West), MEA.

Chair: Ambassador K P Fabian, Professor, Symbiosis, and World Peace University, Pune.

India and Israel have built a unique strategic partnership focused on defence, economic cooperation, and cultural ties. This panel discussion examines how their evolving relationship impacts global politics and future collaboration

Panelists: Prabhat Jawla, Assistant Professor at the Centre for Political Studies; Shiven Nath, Irwin Cotler Fellow, with a Masters in Political Science, Security and Diplomacy from Tel Aviv University

Chair: Sripathi Narayanan Ph.D, Security and Foreign Policy Analyst. Presently a Research Fellow with the 'Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA)

A Mother’s Reflections: A Heartwarming Journey of Love, Unyielding Strength, And Championing Inclusivity

By Shanti Auluck (Hay House, 2024)

Discussants: Ms Shalini Sinha, Asia strategic lead, WIEGO and Asia board member, International centre for Research on Women; Mayank Sapra, Advocate on record, Supreme Court of India; Neera Chawla, Director Muskaan; Prof Megha Dhillon, Dept of Psychology, LSR college; Dr Shanti Auluck, Chairperson & Founder, Muskaan & Author of the book

Chair: Aradhana Lal, Sr. Vice President, Sustainability & ESG, Lemon Tree Hotels